Pompeii Teacher Resources

The lost city of Pompeii lay at the base of Mount Vesuvius near modern day Naples, Italy. On August 24, AD 79, Pompeii, Stabaiae, Torre Annunziata, and surrounding communities were terrorized by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Pompeii was lost for 1500 years. Its rediscovery provided a detailed window into the Pax Roman era. 

Social studies and World History classes can virtually tour other World Heritage Sites, or use this presentation to introduce volcanoes, and then spend some time learning about volcanoes with an activity modeling an eruption. A volcano unit reinforces learning.

If you want to stay within social studies, there are plenty of lessons, activities, presentations, and worksheets delving into The Culture of Pompeii. Grab learners’ attention with a short deductive reasoning worksheet. Once the class is engaged on the topic, move on to study the city of Pompeii, its people, geography, and culture by beginning with this lesson plan.  (since much of it centers around writing a journal, it works well for both English and social studies).

Take some time to browse through the lessons, activities, videos, interactives, etc. centered around Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.

Showing 14 resources
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Interactive
Mr. Nussbaum

Mt. Vesuvius and the Lost City of Pompeii

For Students 4th - 6th Standards
Mount Vesuvius and the lost city of Pompeii are the focus of an interactive reading practice designed to increase comprehension skills. Scholars read an informational text, then answer 10 questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Old Pompeii

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the history of Pompeii and its destruction. They take a virtual field trip to the ruins of Pompeii, create a travel brochure to attract tourists to the site, and write an account of their trip.
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Lesson Plan
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National Geographic

Types of Volcanic Eruptions

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Blow the roof off your classroom with this multimedia science lesson on volcanic eruptions. A short online video teaches young geologists about shield and composite volcanoes and explores the examples of Kilauea and Mt. Vesuvius, before...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Culture of Pompeii

For Students 6th - 8th
In need of a worksheet that focuses on the government and culture of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii? Here you'll find 16 questions related to the government, religion, society, and culture of Pompeii, prior to the eruption of Mr....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Got a Lava Livin' to Do in Pompeii

For Teachers 6th
Scholars imagine themselves as citizens of Pompeii in 79 AD. First they are assigned a job (or place in society like a child or slave). Then they record their daily activities for the weeks leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Mosaics

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read the story "Pompeii...Buried Alive." They locate Italy on a world map and define the term artifact. Students conduct an artifact dig on the playground. Students study the characteristics of mosaics and their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ruins of Pompeii: A Window into History

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the history of Pompeii and its destruction. Locate important geographical features of Rome. Gain insight into the past through archaeological interpretation. Synthesize historical information through imaginative...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Correcting Paragraph Errors

For Students 5th - 6th
In this advanced paragraph correction worksheet, students read a paragraph about Pompeii and identify, and correct grammatical and spelling errors. Students answer eight multiple choice questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Archaeology and Trade in the Middle School Latin Class

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students in a Latin class focus on archeology and trade from the Hellenistic period through the Middle Ages. In groups, they read various stages of a primary source documents in which they discuss and answer questions. To end the lesson,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Burning Desire to Move?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the dangers of living around active volcanoes. They develop media campaigns to encourage different groups of residents around Mount Vesuvius to consider moving.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enduring Influence: Rome, Greece, and Byzantium

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore ancient cultures. In this ancient history lesson, students view programs that depict the ancient Roman, Greek, and Byzantine cultures. Students consider how archaeologists, geologists, and scientists have uncovered the...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Geography: Ancient Rome

For Teachers 4th
Students research Ancient Rome, the Mediterranean Region, Roman myths, and Latin. In this Roman life lesson, students study maps of the region, learn their language and customs, research the Punic wars, the catastrophe of Pompeii, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Greece Predicting Outcomes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore world history by utilizing a SMART board. In this Greek history instructional activity, 6th graders read different Ancient Greece scenarios and match them with a selection from a list of probable outcomes. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes: Mount Vesuvius

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explain how volcanoes form. For this earth science lesson, students identify the different types of volcanoes. They create brochures about Mt. Vesuvius before and after the eruption.

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Pompeii